Liverpool are expected to retain manager Arne Slot for next season, even as serious doubts about his future at Anfield continue to mount following a deeply disappointing title defence.

According to TEAMtalk, "serious internal discussions" are taking place within the club after a turbulent campaign that has left the Reds sitting fifth in the Premier League table heading into their final fixture of the season — a home clash against Brentford on Sunday.

Salah's public criticism fuels the fire

Tensions surfaced publicly when Mohamed Salah openly criticised Slot following a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa, calling for Liverpool to rediscover the high-intensity "heavy metal" football associated with former manager Jurgen Klopp. The comments are said to have "triggered significant reflection" among club leadership.

The situation deepened when several Liverpool players reportedly liked Salah's social media post, raising concerns that Slot has lost the confidence of his own squad as well as the wider fanbase.

Owners alarmed as pressure builds

Club owners Fenway Sports Group are described as "alarmed" by the mood around the club, while football directors Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are said to be "continuously assessing the situation." Liverpool have maintained that any formal review of Slot's position will only happen once the season is over.

The Villa defeat was the club's 19th loss of the season across all competitions. One more defeat would take that tally to 20 — a figure Liverpool have not reached since the 1992/93 season.

Xabi Alonso off the table as alternatives emerge

Any hopes Liverpool fans had of appointing former midfielder Xabi Alonso were extinguished after Chelsea moved swiftly to secure his signature. That development is said to have frustrated a number of supporters who had hoped Alonso would return to Anfield in a managerial capacity.

With Alonso unavailable, the club have reportedly scouted a range of potential successors. Among those identified are Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness, Matthias Jaissle of Al-Ahli, Germany national team manager Julian Nagelsmann, and Andoni Iraola, who is set to become a free agent.

Iraola is said to be held in particularly high regard by Liverpool's decision-makers, with his high-pressing, high-intensity style at Bournemouth drawing admiring glances from those at the top of the club.

Despite the speculation, Liverpool's current stance is that Slot will be given another opportunity — with last season's Premier League title still providing some goodwill. Whether that goodwill survives Sunday's final-day result, and whether Champions League qualification is secured, could yet prove decisive.